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Jku Jkmrunt of the disturbances of the 
GJhinnenta Indians at QMI L,ake in 1857 
and 1862 and their HemnnaT in 1868 



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INTRODUCTION 



♦JFN a pine forest on the shore of a beautiful lake, Kah-gay- 
" ash-koon-si-kag, eight miles long and four ;broad, was 
an Indian village of birch bark wigwams and canoes, surround- 
ed by sugar maple groves, lakes filled with f-ish and wild rice. 
In the woods were blueberries, birds, moose, bear, elk, deer 
and fur animals in abundance, 

In 1868 the United States treaty removed the Chippewas 
one hundred miles west to White Earth and gave them farms. 
About 1838 there came from Canada a young interpreter ac- 
companying a travelling preacher. This was En-me-gah-bowh 
who had been taught to read and write and interpret. In the 
group of listeners sat a modest maiden, the grand-daughter of 
the Chief. After the meeting he asked if he might speak to 
her and her friends. 

In due time he became her husband and Gull Lake his 
home. So the charming maiden gained for her people an in- 
structor and counsellor who for sixty years stood before them, 
as his name implies, and led them on to Christian knowledge, 
faith and life. He died at White Earth, June 12th, 1902 
and Mrs. Whipple has recently erected, in the church-yard 
of St. Columba, a monument of granite to his memory. 

In January, at the age of 86, he wrote his last historic mes- 
sage at the request of Hon. Nathan Richardson, mayor of Little 
Falls, by whose courtesy we publish it for the free bed at St. Bar- 
nabas Hospital. It is a statement of his own personal experience 
at critical times, without reference to his helpers, the Bishops, 
Clergy and Christian people whose prayers and alms sus- 
tained his work. The manuscript is printed verbatim. 



PREFACE 



^WVAJOR D. B. HERRIMAN, in his final report from the 
*H«J Chippewa Agency, Sept. 15, 1857, says: "I believe 
the missionaries within this Agency to be doing all they can 
for the benefit of the Indians according tc their system. They 
must be generally awarded the credit of sincerity in desiring 
the good of the Indians. 

No less than five whiskey shops are only five miles from 
this Agency. I have frequently caused persons to be arrested 
for violating these laws, but have never yet been able to pro- 
cure conviction in a single instance, notwithstanding positive 
proof, juries always disagreed." 

The troops at Fort Ripley having been removed, the 
whiskey seller has had nothing to fear from that quarter. 

In July, 1857, three young Indians, named Charles Giga- 
bish, James, and Jo Shambo, the latter being a mixed-blood, 
went to Crow Wing, twelve miles from their home, and as 
usual obtained fire-water. Coming back near sunset in the 
pine forest by Round lake, they were seen by an Indian woman, 
who watched behind the trees, to attack and rob a white man, 
dragging him to the lake, as she thought, to drown him. She 
informed Enmegahbowh of the occurrence, and he wrote an 
account of it, a portion of which has been preserved and is 
given below. 



The removal of troops, and the abandonment of Fort Rip- 
ley caused the lawless whites and drinking Indians to think 
and to say, "There is no one now to arrest us whatever we do." 
Like a city without police the boldest criminals ruled. Tur- 
bulence of every kind was invited by this condition. The 
mission of Dr. Breck among the Pillagers at Leech Lake had 
been abandoned in June, and the missionaries at Gull Lake 
were soon in peril. The Rev. E. Steele Peake remained 
there, hoping to save the church and the school for Indian 
children, but the murder of Fritz, the German tramp, and the 
consequent action of the mob near Little Falls, taking the 
three Indian prisoners from the sheriff and hanging them in 
chains to the trees, brought the final crisis, which could only 
be averted by reoccupying the Fort with U. S. troops at once. 




CHAPTER I. 



Indian Disturbances of 1857 




The following is Enmegahbovrh's Account of the Affair: 

N Indian woman told me that she saw the 
three Indian boys attack and abuse Fritz, 
and after knocking him down, they were 
dragging him to the lake to drown him. 
But she said she did not stay long 
enough to see what they finally did with 
the man, but she told us where to find 
the mark or track. So I, with the young 
men that were with me, started to find 
the place. Sure enough we found the 
place, and also found the mark of what I thought 
was a grave. I put my pitchfork in it, and thought 
1 touched something, and pulled it up to my great 
astonishment and fear, for here was the leg of a 
dead man not yet stiff with cold. I found in the 
grave a man not yet stiff with cold. 

I went home and found the three young men 
in my house. I pretended not to know anything 
about what I have just told, the murdered man. 
Bye-and-bye I asked Mr. Selkrig, the interpreter, to 
go with me to feed the horses, and right there I 



made known to him that I saw a murdered man 
buried under the sand beach. He was much aston- 
ished and much afraid, and asked me who did it. I 
told him I met a woman two hours ago on the road 
who saw these three young men who are now in ni} 7 
house do it. I told him how we looked around to 
find the place where they have buried him, how I 
found the place and put my pitchfork in and knew 
I hit something and pulled it up and it was a 
human leg not yet stiffened with cold. I was fully 
satisfied that I knew the three young men who 
did it. I went home, and there I found the three 
young men in my house smoking. There were 
three white men there also, Mr. Charles Selkrig, 
Mr. Sutherland, the trader, and I cannot recall the 
name of the other man. I told him how I sat 
down and pretended not to know anj'thing about 
it what had been done. After a while T invited 
him to go out and told him all about the foot 
peddler being buried in the sand just after he was 
killed by the three young men still in my house. 
I told Mr. Selkrig that the best thing that could 
be done now was to arrest those young men and 
bind them with string ropes, hands and feet, and 
tomorrow take them down to Fort Ripley and let 
them be judged according to the law of the Medes 
and Persians. I said, "Do not do it hurriedly, but 
do it carefully and strongly, and get everything 
ready." This was done, the three young men 
were arrested. They did not show any resistance, 



but gave up themselves willingly. In a few days 
we heard that a big crowd of the whites took hold 
of them and they were hung on the limb of a tree. 

When this act was noised abroad in the Indian 
country, the father and uncles of the young men 
breathed vengance against me. My friends ad- 
vised me to flee to the fort. I did so and remained 
at the fort for two months, with many incon- 
veniences and troubles and in want. At the end 
of the two months, all the chiefs and prominent 
half breeds invited me to return home, saying that 
every possible protection would be given me, and 
that no harm should be done me. 

I returned home. The old man who made the 
most threatening speech was the first man to 
come to see me and gave me his hand for a peace- 
ful reconciliation, and once more I became tamed 
down and reconciled to my former position and 
standing. I was well convinced that the two 
troubles just passed through had paved the way 
so that another trouble would soon come. 



Extracts from Letters written by Enmegahbowh to 
Hon. Nathan Richardson 

White Earth, February 15th, 1902. 

Hon. N. Richardson, 

Dear Sir: I have this day sent you my 
scribblings giving you a little information about 
the young men murderers. 

The using the English language is indeed im- 



perfect. I know not whether you shall be able to 
understand it all. But I have done the best as I 
can. 

I have passed Little Falls before there was 
any sign of a white man. Today it is full of the 
white men. 

I have put and added iny Indian name. En- 
megahbowh means "The one who stands before 
his people." A good name. I like it. It was the 
gift of my heathen grandfather. 

J. J. Enmegahbowh. 



January 25, 1902. 
Hon. N. Richardson: 

My Bear Sir: You ask me to give you a bit 
of my wanderings to and fro in this loved country. 
I wish I could comply- with your request— not any- 
thing valuable, but an Indian curiosity. I have 
repeatedly received letters from different sources 
asking me the same request. Even the late 
Bishop Whipple has often asked me to write a 
little of my life. 

I was born in Canada under the paw of the 
king of beasts, which is most dreaded and a terror 
to the American nation. 

I will give you a little of my first being and 
wanderings here and elsewhere. Of course I was 
born in a heathen country. My parents were 
heathen — worshipped to wood and stone. I was 
brought up in and trained in the Grand Medicine 
worship when quite young. But still I can re- 
member all the teachings which have been taught 
me. Bye-and-bye I was initiated into the lodge 
and was fully considered a worthy member in the 
lodge. 



10 



CHAPTER II. 



Indian Outbreak of 1862 




N the year 1862 your own civil war against 
your friends the nigger worshippers in 
the South affected us. On one morning 
as I was sitting in tny humble abode, 
two gentlemen step in and ask "Is this 
Mr. J. Johnson?" I said "Yes, he is the 
man." "Can we have private conversa- 
tion with you for a few minutes?" they 
asked. "Certainly," I replied. "Some of 
your friends at St. Paul recommended 
us to come to see you before we ventured out 
for our business. We are directed to come and 
ask you to accompany us to Mille Lacs to help us 
to get all the young Indians to go to war in the 
South. And to every young man, or married man 
either, we will be willing to pa}^ one or two hun- 
dred dollars." 

The word pay stirred and irritated my sensi- 
bilities. I wondered what it could mean. I asked 
the gentleman to explain more so I can under- 
stand it. "We want young men as substitutes for 
some who can not go to war, to take their places." 



"Well, gentlemen," I said, "I cannot give you the 
answer now, but on tomorrow, if you come. I 
will then let you know what I can do for you." 
After the men stepped out I made known to my 
companion. She said "I would not accept their 
proposition." I said "Just exactly so are my 
thoughts. It is true I could make one or two 
thousand dollars in a few days. But to go and 
sell my poor people to get money! Oh, no! I 
cannot do it. These gentlemen came and spoke 
to me secretly. They did not want to make it 
known to the half-breeds." 

The gentlemen came back at the appointed 
time. I said to them, "Gentlemen, I have thought 
all over the proposition you have made to me. I 
am sorry to say, after due consideration, I am not 
able to go. My position and standing before my 
people forbid me to do so. But I can tell } r ou how 
to carry out your work without any difficulty. 
Here are many of our half-breeds who will take 
hold with your work." 

Towards evening the mixed bloods became 
almost crazed, and the drunkenness was at the 
highest pitch. Several young men had already 
sold themselves for from fifty to one hundred dol- 
lars. Heap of money and whiskey for a "Big 
Indian," and as fast as the big Indians are sold 
they are taken down to Fort Snelling and there 
are resold to the highest bidder. I thought a good 
deal about this affair, and came to the conclusion 



12 



that it would bring more trouble and difficulty at 
the end. Many Indian men had already been sold 
and taken down to Fort Snelling in the course of 
a few days. 

Three braves, We-sug, Ago-eus, and Shum-be- 
go-gun, are considered the head braves of Leech 
Lake Indians. We-sug and Ago-eous' sons have 
been sold and taken down to Fort Snelling. These 
parents, whose sons were sold without their 
knowledge, immediately came to Crow Wing. I 
was sitting late in the night when these braves 
stepped into my house. They had war paint on 
their faces, and guns in their hands. Before ex- 
plaining their object I was a little timid. Bye- 
and-bye the leader said, "We heard that Mr. Horn, 
the whiskey trader, bought two of our sons, and 
has taken them to be re-sold. We come to kill Mr. 
Horn tonight and in less than an hour. We 
thought before taking the step to come and call 
on you to tell you all about it, and to hear what 
you have to sa}' on the subject." "My friends," I 
said, "I am glad to hear you think me worthy to 
make known to me your object in visiting Crow 
Wing. My friends, I presume you all understand 
what it will bring about. If you kill the white 
man, you will cause a general warfare and the 
whites will drive us away from our country and 
perhaps will eventually sweep us away from the 
face of the earth. "We are fully well aware that 
a general warfare may take place," the}' said. 



13 



"For this we have been fully prepared for many 
years. We cannot be free or be exempt from it. 
For many years past we have been sitting still 
under the dark cloud of ill treatment by the 
whites. Our country and the great pine forest 
are nearly all gone. We see what is coming upon 
us. The troubles and sufferings will eventually 
come upon all our poor races. This is the pre- 
diction of our fathers, told to their children and 
grandchildren. 'It will take place, it is coming, 
and upon our doors. They will come with great 
pretentions, and will call you ne-che or friend. 
Yes, yes, you will become disgraced, your homes 
and sacred palaces polluted.' And that is what 
our great grandfathers said. 

"Dear friends," I replied, "again I thank you 
that you think me worthy to come and tell me be- 
fore you make the first fatal blow. I have, my 
friends, told you all the dreadful consequences 
that you will bring upon us all, the great suffer- 
ing of our children, and that we will eventually 
be swept away from our great county and be no 
more. My friends, I love our poor race. If I could 
do an} T thing for you to avert your troubles I 
would do it for you. My friends, please let me 
propose one thing. If you will wait six or seven 
days, or until my return from St. Paul, I will go 
to see the two great men, Mr. Rice and General 
Sibley, and make known your troubles, and the 
whiskey traders who are buying our young men 



14 



and selling them again to the highest bidder." 
The} 7 asked nie "Will these great men listen 
and hear your talking?" "Well I think they will. 
I know these men personally. I am a poor man. 
I cannot go down in the stage. I am young and 
can walk from here to St. Paul in two da3 r s. I 
think I could return in six days sure." "Well," 
said the braves, "If you think you can accomplish 
some good, and get the hearing of the two chiefs 
at St. Paul, we will wait seven days." 

In the night my wife made two pairs of new 
moccasins for me, and before daybreak I was on 
my way. I felt so well and light, and I thought I 
could outrun any four-legged animal. I passed 
through Sauk Rapids toward the evening, and 
continued my journey . Toward night I stepped 
out from the road and under the heavy limbs of 
an oak tree la} 1 - down to sleep. For about five 
hours I could not sleep. The thought of my 
errand was so important. At last I lost my sleep- 
lessness; and just before daybreak I was up and 
took a fresh start. I was in St. Paul early in the 
morning of the third da}". 

My first visit was to Mr. Rice. He called me 
into his parlor, and asked me the object of my 
visit. I said, "Mr. Rice, my object to visit you i» 
that we are having a very serious trouble, or ex- 
pect to have one, if you and General Sibley cannot 
help us out of it." Here I commenced to tell him 
all about the trouble from beginning to end. "Well, 



15 



Mr. Johnson," he said, "I am glad you have come 
to make known to us your trouble, and that you 
expect to have a very serious one. Yes, this very 
thing, the traffic in human beings, should and 
must be stopped at once. You go to General Sib- 
ley and show this letter to him. When do you ex- 
pect to return home?" "Just as soon as you may 
give all the instructions." 

I entered into the office of the general, and 
handed the letter of Mr. Rice to him. I watched 
him during the reading of the letter. He would 
now and then give a nod. I thought it a very 
good indication. He turned and said, with an 
earnest emphasis, "Yes, this very traffic in your 
people to the whites shall and must cease at once. 
When you reach home, if they are still buying 
and selling the young Indians, you will please 
write to us, and we will take good care of the men 
who sell and buy." The general gave me papers 
to show those who were the most conspicuous 
persons. I shook hands with him, and thanking 
him for his instructions and the papers he gave 
me, I returned to Mr. Rice's office. 

He asked me how I came down. "I used my 
legs and feet." "You expect to go back today?" 
"Yes, just as soon as I go out of your office I shall 
steer my journe} T toward home, for I must get 
home three days from today. There are three 
braves from Leech Lake who are waiting for me 
at Crow Wing, and it is very important that I 



16 



should be there on the third day from today." 
He opened his drawer and handed me twenty- 
live dollars. This very generous gift, given un- 
expectedly to me, was an expression of joy that 
words cannot express. I stepped out of his office 
with light heart and much elated. Relieved of 
in} T anxieties, my body and legs were easily moved. 
There was no impediment on my person, and I 
walked like the hart of the forest. On the first 
night of my return journey I walked quite a dis- 
tance, there being clear moonlight. The third day 
I arrived home, well and heart} 7 . 

When the three braves heard of ni3 T arrival, 
the3^ came to see me and hear what success had 
attended my trip. I said, "Dear friends, I am glad 
to tell you that I have seen the two big chiefs of 
the whites. They have listened to my complaint, 
and they both expressed much satisfaction that I 
came down to see them, and tell them of our 
troubles. After hearing me, they both said it shall 
and must be stopped forthwith, and here are rny 
papers to that effect." All the three braves 
thanked me for it, and shook hands with me, and 
returned home with much satisfaction. 

Here, Mr. Richardson, you see plainly a gen- 
eral warfare and the annihilation of my whole 
race might have taken place. But my timely 
effort alone, without help from my own race, 
averted great warfare, to my great joy and happi- 
ness. The above incidents are true and the facts 



17 



as they occurred. These very incidents have 
been quieted down, but they paved the way for 
future trouble like the above. I have heard much 
about them here and there. Much dissatisfaction 
has long existed among my people. I know it. I 
am continuall} 7 in positions to know it, and to 
hear it, and today, when the sun had brought her 
best shining splendor to light the heads of the 
heathen men, and we are still in the broad day of 
Christianity, I have never quite tamed down to 
feel at ease, and to say that my people are absolute- 
ly at peace. Not that I say it to disbelieve the 
Christian religion. Oh, no! I believe the Christ- 
ian religion will be the means to subdue all the 
wicked hearts of all nations of the earth. 

My uneasiness about my people, lest they take 
up arms against the great American nation and 
what would take place from some sources, was 
duly realized. At the time it happened it was big, 
like a giant in size. 

In 1862, when the Sioux nation raised their 
arms against their friends, the whites, the mas- 
sacre began in earnest, killing both women and 
children. I was watching my people how it would 
affect them. Sure enough, in a few days I heard 
that Hole-in-the-day had received a secret mes- 
sage from the Sioux war chief, Little Crow, though 
between them deadly hatred and warfare had been 
carried on for ages past. I thought Hole-in-the 
day would not accept it. But he had secretly 



18 



sent messengers to the interior country telling 
and urging his people to take up arms to aid the 
Sioux nation who were massacring hundreds up- 
on hundreds of the whites, friends and warriors. 
There was never a better time to urge this. Our 
people had been looking for that day to come, and 
now it had come they were ready to take up arms 
and go forth to war. The soldiers have nearly all 
been taken away to the South. The interior forts 
were all nearly empty. Come, my fellow warriors, 
let us go forth to war! For we are a dying people 
^fc anyhow. We might as well hasten the day 
of our sufferings and death! 

In less than ten days warriors began to 
come in to our village at Gull lake. Drum 
beating was heard throughout the village. 
Hole-in-the-day invited me to his council 
wigwam and informed me of his plan to com- 
mence killing all the whites that he could see and 
lay his hands on. He had decided to assist his 
hereditary enemy to go forth to war against the 
whites. There were several warriors in the wig- 
wam. I said to them, "My friends, you all know 
me. For years I have stood before you and tried 
to save you from your present condition and the 
consequences of your sin's doing. If you knew as 
much as I know of the greatness and power of the 
whites against whom you are expected to fight, 
you would not entertain the idea to thus strike 
against heavy rocks. You may kill a few in the 



IV 




beginning, but in the end you will all be swept 
away from the face of the earth, and annihilated 
forever. I love you all. I see and know just ex- 
actly how the war will terminate. As a friend 
who loves you, I would ask you all <is wise men to 
think and well consider whether your present 
plan is to your salvation or death. Think ye well." 

Hole-in -the-d ay said, "Yes, your words are 
true. I have taken the step too hastily, without 
due consideration. The plan has already come 
into its maturity. 1 am not able to control it." 

I came away. I stayed at Gull Lake Mission. 
All the white missionaries had deserted me and 
had gone to the congenial country for their 
coward spirits. I understood that the warriors 
were proposing to attack the Agency. When I 
heard this, T yoked up my horned horses to flee 
away to Crow Wing. I started in the early part 
of the night. When I had gone about half way, 
in the morning, four warriors overtook us and 
said I must return home, and that no harm would 
be done us. Here I was with my wife and child- 
ren undecided what course to take. My wife ad- 
vised me to return home. When we arrived home 
Hole-in-the-day came to see us and said that we 
must not be alarmed, and that no harm would be 
done us. 

In the course of a few days, Chief Crossing 
Sky of Rabbit Lake came to my house in the dark- 
est hour of the night, and said, "I am come to ad- 



vise you to prepare to flee away to Fort Ripley. 
Hole-in-the-day is going to march with his war- 
riors to the Agency in two days from today, and 
massacre all the whites. Be sure to flee away. 
For when he returns he will be so ugly and spare 
no one whom he knows has sympathy with the 
whites." 

The chief went cut. My wife cried, and said. 
"The people, then, must be informed what is com- 
ing upon them. If I cannot find anyone to bear 
the news I will go. There is no time to lose." 

The time was short; but it so happened that a 
white man came in late in the evening to ask me 
what was the meaning of so much drumming 
and so many war whoops. I told him all about it. 
and urged him to carry my letter to the people of 
the Agency, that they may be preparing shelter 
or a strong stockade for their defense. For a long 
time he would not go. He was very fearful. I 
said to him, "The Indians will find out you are 
here with me, and will kill you. If you cannot 
go, my wife will go." At last with much fear he 
started away with my message. This poor man's 
name was Yankknight. You must have known 
him, for he lived at Crow Wing for many years. 

Sure enough, one Saturday afternoon Hole-iu- 
the-day and his warriors passed through near my 
door, naked and painted black all over his body 
and singing the war songs. My wife cried after 
the warriors had passed away out of sight. I said 



■a 



to her that I apprehended no danger for the peo- 
ple there, for they must have received 1113^ letter 
and have had plenty of time to prepare them a 
strong stockade. When the3 r received my letter 
both the women and children worked like beavers. 

Hole-in-the-day with his warriors arrived at 
the Agency and halted a quarter of a mile away. 
It was about morning or before daybreak. He 
sent two warriors to go and see whether any prep- 
aration had been made against being attacked. 
To their great astonishment the3 r find that an old 
heavy log house, built by the soldiers years ago, 
strongly, with heavy logs, was now full of lights, 
and all around the building were port holes, and 
each port hole contained two or three guns well 
loaded. 

About a month before this several boxes of 
guns arrived at the Agency. From the beginning 
and for many 3 r ears, the government had given 
them guns and ammunition with their annual 
payments. The guns had arrived and the doomed 
people opened the boxes, and had plenty of ammu- 
nition to use to shoot the hearts of the Indians. 

The spies returned to bear the message to 
Hole-in-the-day, and told him that the people 
were well fortified, and it was of no use to at- 
tack them, for "before we can kill one single 
white squaw, many of us will be shot down and 
caused to kiss the dust. They have been warned 
what was coming upon them." 



22 



Hole-in-the-day jumped up with vengeance 
of exasperation and said, "Let us return home. I 
know the treacherous man who gave the informa- 
tion. Enmegahbowh is the man. He shall surely 
die, and just as soon as we reach home. The 
first thing I shall do is to go to his house and 
shoot him down like a dog. Mark you" said he 
to his warriors, "all of 3 r ou shall see me doing it, 
and shall bear witness to the act." 

At this time I was safety housed and protected 
in the hands of the government soldiers. Sure 
enough when Hole-in-the-da}' and his party ar- 
rived at home and came opposite my house he 
halted and with his loaded gun started to go to 
my house. He found that I had gone to some 
place. He said again, "He must die. I shall not 
let him go. I shall find him where he has fled." 

On my arrival at FortRiple} r , the captain was 
so glad to see me and he gave me nice quarters 
with the other family who had accompanied me 
in my flight. This man was the most cowardliest 
human being. The sound of the limbs and leaves 
made him jump many times in my presence. His 
name was William Superior. His wife still lives, 
and she was a brave woman, but her husband 
was the cowardliest human being from the crown 
of his head down to the sole of his feet. 

The proposed plan of Hole-in-the-day was 
that after massacring the people at the Agency, 
his next point to attack was to be Fort Ripley. 



He was well aware that the fort was nearly emp- 
ty. The soldiers had been taken away to the 
South to fight the nigger worshipers. He had re- 
peatedly said, "I can take and capture the Fort 
without much effort. 1 know what to do and how 
to do it." 




S4 




CHAPTER III. 



rite Earth in 1863 

. itleinen ca 

the Indians. The firs: 

tight 
it the ge 
pie. Before this I ha 
about it. I saw the sa : n of 

whole Chippewa nation in Min- 
sota. W 
number by the effe :ta f the 1 

— spirit. I have see:: ny own 

eyes — four killed in one day among 
and so on in proportion. 

Here was my own question when the re . 
should come up at any time, what shall I 
Shall I lift my voice against it. Here is 
race. Xo one protc :m. There is no law to 

protect them and shield them. Die they must 
soon or later. On, no! I must lend n:; secret- 

ly for their removal. 

I said to these gentlemen, "I have long ago 
answered your question. Here are my poor 
who are dying off without number. Here are two 



ss 



ailments working against them — the Devil spirit 
and the wars with the Sioux nation, — and in or- 
der to save them one thing must be done." 

To resist their removal was like throwing a 
stone against a rock, it would bounce back. The 
time came when all must rise and leave their 
country and the homes they have loved. Poor 
fellows! Chiefs and braves, old and young, filled 
my house asking and asking whether I shall be 
moved with them, and saying that every protec- 
tion would be given me. Why protection? Have 
I done anything to need protection? Here let me 
give the explanation: The great war chief, Hole- 
in-the day, had received a message from the war 
chief of the Sioux nation, inviting him to take up 
arms and join him in a general warfare against 
the whites. Hole-in-the-da} 7 positively accepted 
the invitation, though the Sioux and the Chippe- 
was had been at war between themselves for 
many generations past. You know the two na- 
tions are the greatest warlike tribes on this conti- 
nent, and they are the most numerous and have 
the strongest warriors among the Indian tribes. 

Hole-in-the day espoused the cause secretly, 
and sent messengers to the interior reservations 
to give a general invitation to the warriors to 
make a general warfare against the whites. The 
great Sioux nation had already commenced and 
was massacring the whites without number. 
This news fired the war spirit of the warriors to 



make preparations to go forth to war, and the 
warriors began to arrive in our village. 

When I saw this dilemma and the earnestness 
of the warriors, I made up my mind to take my 
ox team and run away to the nearest white settle- 
ment, and in the darkest hour of the night, I 
started with my wife and children. When we 
had gone about half way to the place where we 
expected to find shelter and protection, four war- 
riors overtook us and stopped us and said that 
we must return back; that no harm should be 
done us, but every protection would be extended 
to us. We returned. Soon afterwards I saw that 
preparations were being made by the warriors to 
go and attack and massacre the nearest white 
settlement, or rather the Agency and the property. 

When I heard of this plan I immediately sent 
word to the whites that Hole-in-the-day and his 
warriors were about to visit their village and kill 
every man, woman and child, and I urged them 
forthwith to prepare against being attacked. 
Men, women and children worked all night like 
beavers. On the second day after I sent my warn- 
ing, one of the chiefs, Crossing Sky, came in the 
darkest hour of the night, and advised us to be 
sure to prepare to flee away to the nearest white 
settlement or to Fort Ripley, because when the 
warriors return they will be so ugly and will spare 
no one whom they know to have sympathy with 
the whites. This information greatly relieved us. 



The following day, sure enough, Hole-in-the-Da}- 
with his warriors passed through near our door, 
Hole-in-the day leading and singing the war song. 

After they passed out of sight rny wife cried. 
I said to her, "I apprehend no danger to our white 
friends. They had plenty of time to prepare a 
strong shelter and strong stockade surely." 

After Hole-in-the-day and his warriors passed 
away I immediately prepared to make my escape 
with another famil3 T , William Superior, his wife 
and two children, to Fort Ripley. In the darkest 
hour we went down the Gull river with two ca- 
noes. On many occasions my wife had to get out 
of the canoe in the river to wade to lighten the 
canoe, because the river was very shallow, while 
I was walking along on the bank to watch them. 
We traveled the whole night, and about two 
o'clock in the afternoon we reached Fort Ripley. 
Hole-in-the-day's plan was after massacring the 
little number of whites at the Agency to attack 
the fort for his next point, there being at this 
time few soldiers in the fort. During the sum- 
mer nearl} 7 all the soldiers had been taken away 
to the South to fight. At this hour there was 
quite an excitement in no small degree. 

When the captain heard of my arrival he in- 
vited me into the fort, and gave me good quarters 
with plenty of kokosh* and coffee. Our quarters 
were most beautiful rooms; everything needed 
was on hand and ready within our grasp. After a 

*Pork. 

28 



while the captain invited me to his quarters, and 
began to ask me questions, whether it was true, 
as it was reported, that Hole-in-the-day's next 
point of attack was this fort? I said, "Yes, that 
was his present program. Yesterday afternoon 
Hole-in-the-da}^ passed through near m} T house to 
go to attack the whites at the Agency. This 
morning the attack must have been made. We 
shall soon hear of it, whether the attack has been 
made or not." 

Before sundown the news was brought and 
reached us that the attack was a perfect failure. 
This news gave us much joy and peace of mind. 
But still we were not entirely at ease, Hole-in-the 
da3 T being a man of blood and a treacherous man. 
The little white village had well prepared against 
being attacked and were well provided against 
the enemies. Hole-in -the-da}'- halted a short dis- 
tance from the village, to make preparations to at- 
tack the village at an early hour. During the 
night he sent two spies to go and see whether the 
people had made ai^ preparation against being 
attacked. The spies returned and informed Hole- 
in-the-day what the whites had been doing, and 
that they had completed a strong stockade for 
shelter, and they further informed the warriors 
that it was of no use to attack it because many of 
them would be killed before they could take one 
scalp. "The}' are well fortified, well housed, and 
besides, the whites are all ready to receive us 



39 



with powder and bullets. They must have been 
informed that such a thing would take place, and 
was near at hand." 

Hole-in-the-day, in the midst of his warriors, 
jumped up and with a loud voice said, "Let us re- 
turn and go home. I know the treacherous man 
who gave the information. Enmegabowh is the 
man. He shall not live, and he must die just as 
soon as we reach home. The first thing I shall 
go to his house and shoot him down like a dog." 

And about this time I was safely in the hand 
of strong protection. Yes, it is certain that if I 
had remained at home I should have been shot 
down like a dog. But the timety warning that 
Chief Crossing Sky gave me saved ni}^ life, a"d to- 
day I am still living, a terror to the whites! 

To go back to the fort. The evening fast ap- 
proached upon us, preparations must be made. 
The first thing to be done was to fill all the senti- 
nel posts outside of the wooden fort. The captain 
invited me again to his office, and said there was 
one more man needed to fill the posts. "Can your 
friend go and fill it?" "I have m3 T doubts," I said. 
"Why?" he asked. "Simply this. He is one of the 
most unfortunate human beings, the most coward- 
iiest old corpse." The captain and I started to ask 
him. When the word sentinel was given he 
shook his head. No, he said he could not go. He 
was sick, heap sick, yes, heap sick. Big Indian 



30 



ate too much pork and drunk too much coffee, and 
now heap sick. 

It was near the time for everyone to go to his 
sentinel post. Bye-and-bye the captain turned to- 
ward me and asked if I would have any objections 
to go. I said, "I have some objections on account 
of my calling and standing before my people as a 
missionary. To take up arms against them and 
against the Gospel of Peace, at this late day, to 
take up a big musket to shoot them, does not look 
well in me. Yet here are my wife and children in 
the fort. I seek protection. Yes, yes, I am will- 
ing to go. I am ready to defend the fort." 

The captain invited me to his office, and there 
I received my instructions, and received my 
diploma, fully equipped to go forth to war. The 
captain took me to my sentinel post, of course the 
most dangerous point. A few words more of in- 
struction, and the captain left me. Oh, it was the 
very darkest hour of the night! I could only see 
a very short distance from me. After the captain 
had gone out of sight, I took up my heavy musket 
and began to pass and repass on my ground. I 
could not see to detect the enemies' approach. My 
ears were my only instruments for detecting the 
near approach of an enemy. In about half an 
hour I thought I saw something, an object mov- 
ing toward me. I stood silently to see if it was a 
human being. With a loud voice I said "Halt!" 
and at the same time threw up my weapon in a 



si 



position ready to shoot if needs be. The man 
halted, and again I demanded the countersign. 
The man gave it correctly, and I said "Pass on!" 
The man passed away out of my sight. 

When the man passed away and I took up my 
armour of defense, I felt a peculiar sensation in 
my whole bod3'. My irrasibilities moved from the 
crown of my head to the sole of my feet. When I 
demanded the man to halt, he halted; and again, 
to give the countersign, and he gave it promptly, 
I thought myself that I was the greatest general. 
When I say Come, he cometh, and go, he goeth. 
So great I thought myself, and looking at the 
wooden fort J said to myself I hare a great notion 
to make two or three of m)' genuine war whoops 
to try and test my greatness. I thought the wooden 
walls would have fallen to the ground, like the 
ancient granite walls of Jerico when Joshua made 
war whoops against it, and the impregnable walls 
came down to the ground, and that that was im- 
possible was made possible. But on my second 
thought I said, "No, not at all. I am here defend- 
ing the fort and the people. Let peace rule in my 
heart." 

So saying, I stepped on my ground and began 
to retrace m)^ steps. The hour was fast approach- 
ing when I must be relieved from my duty. The 
night passed off without any molestation. Early 
in the morning the captain sent for me to his 
office. I said to myself "Something must have 



32 



been a mess on my part." The captain wanted 
me to give him my stewardship. When I entered 
his office he sat and smiled. He said, "Mr. Enme- 
gahbowh, I see you are a regular good soldier, 
and the best sentinel. During the hour of your 
duty as a sentinel did you see any object?" I said 
I did. "What did you do?" "I did precisely as 
my instructions were, halted the man whoever he 
was." If he had not complied with your demand 
to halt nor given you the correct answer when 
you demanded the countersign, -what would you 
have done?" "I would shoot his heels to cripple 
him." Here he laughed heartily, and right there 
I saw that he was the very man who came to dis- 
turb me while watching intensely. 

He asked me to enlist in the army. He 
thought I could be promoted in a few months. 
The word promotion almost upset my whole skep- 
ticism. I came very near to entering the army. 
But then looking back upon my work and my 
standing and my calling I said, "Away, away with 
it! Let me go on with my work. Perad venture I 
may save one of my own race through my instru- 
mentality. Oh, no! I must not look back. Here 
are m3 r dying race, without knowledge, without 
God, and without hope in the world." 

The troubles subsided a little and I returned 
home. But another trouble came on. It was the 
removal. It was the most serious trouble that 
could come. I thought about the removal. I 



33 



have known well enough, and have heard un- 
people say, it was what they most dreaded and 
hated, to leave their country. Poor fellows! 

The chiefs and the old men and women often 
come and ask if I knew an} T thing about their re- 
moval. I said out openly, "Yes, I think that very 
thing must come to affect us, because the govern- 
ment has and is still removing the different In- 
dian tribes all over the United States, for some 
cause, a good cause. It is always a good cause, 
because the government makes it to become such. 
Here it is. Just see it. Bye-and-D3 T e, I say, you 
all shall be removed. Now if you ask me why, if 
you have done anj'thing' to justify your removal, 
look back a year ago. See what you have done, 
and the warriors who came and were ready to 
make a general warfare against your friends the 
whites. M}' friends, had I not been a living man, 
mark you, when you started to go on with the 
warfare, had I not interfered, todaj^ all } r ou people 
would not have walked on your beautiful ground 
nor paddled your canoes on these beautiful lakes 
and rivers. You would have been destroyed and 
swept away from the face of the earth. And for 
saving you and interfering, you wanted to kill 
me, and you would have done it had I not escaped 
from my home you would have killed me. In 
doing the above I showed my love toward 3 r ou. 
Y r ou are all here, smoking your pipe of peace. 
You ought to thank me for it. And for this very 



foolish act of yours the government will say to 
you all you must remove/' 

Sure enough, on the next year following the 
most dreadful word reached the ears of my people. 
"You must be removed toward the setting sun, 
near to the country of your great heredity enem- 
ies." To describe the feelings and sayings of my 
people would fill many sheets of paper. I will 
pass them over, and will give }'ou a few items 
that actually occurred. Hole-in-the-day took up 
against the cause, and advised his people not to 
move. He was very bitter against it, and even 
threatened death to the first man who would not 
give heed to his words. He must surely die. 
The da}^ was named on which they must be ready 
to move. Hole-in-the-day got ready, and sent four 
of his best warriors to the road to watch and inter- 
cept the first man who may pass and to halt him. 
The warriors started to do as they were com- 
manded. Chief Turtle or Na-bun-a-skong were 
to leave the caravan. He was considered one 
of the bravest and most daring warriors. He 
walked ahead of the moving caravan, feathers 
waving on his head, and singing the war 
song. Here were Hole-in-the-day's braves watch- 
ing the moving caravan come on, two of the 
braves stajiding on each side of the road. Sure 
enough, here came the moving cara- 
van, and Chief Na-bun-a-skong saw 
them watching. When he saw them 




35 



standing on both sides of the road, he made a loud 
war whoop, as much as to say, "I, too, am a brave 
and warrior!" Everybody thought it would cause 
much trouble and bloodshed; and as the chief was 
nearingthem, and passing, he thought he would 
be shot down every moment. But he passed 
through without any effort on their part to stop 
him. After the first move took place, Hole-in-the- 
day saw that his work was not heeded nor noticed. 
He gave up the cause; and yet there was oueniore 
item that he will never overlook, and that he 
must attend to himself, personally, and without 
fail, and that is to make his final settlement with 
Enmegahbowh, the treacherous man. 

Thus the removal took place without any 
trouble. My poor people have gone away broken 
hearted. I pitied the poor women most, and felt 
much sympathy for them. I never can forget 
what Na-btm-a-skong did before his final step 
took place for the unknown country. Looking at 
the deep pine forest, with his hands stretched 
forth, and with a deep voice he said, "O you majes- 
tic pine forest, how often have I sought shelter 
and protection under thy great wing! Thy songs 
have often cheered me and thy waving heads 
have halted me to listen to thy melodious songs. 
Oh, you majestic pine forest! Continue to sing 
thy beautiful songs, to awaken and to cheer 
my dear children that I have left behind me in 
their graves!" Turning toward the Missis- 



36 



sippi and pointing to it he said, "Oh, ye, the father 
of rivers, for ages past thy beautiful current has 
often cheered while gliding over th} r currents 
with my canoe! I am leaving thee! I shall never 
again grace thy flowing waters. I leave thee, not 
by my wish, but I am compelled." And again 
pointing toward the mountain, he said, with a 
loud voice, "Oh, you beautiful mount! How often 
have I hidden under thy walls when in danger!" 
So saying he returned, much cast down and with 
spirits of melancholy. He was the most earnest 
advocate that I should move with them. But, at 
the same time, he knew well that it was not safe 
for me to move with them when the loaded gun 
was pointed at me. Again and again I said that 
the Great Spirit would open the door for me to 
enter into their country. 

After the removal had taken place and peace 
and harmony were restored, the whites and the 
mixed bloods invited me to come down to Crow 
Wing under their protection. Hole-in-the-day, 
they said, is a man of blood, a deceiving man who 
cannot be trusted. I started to go down and to 
remain with the people and under their protection. 
Two weeks after my people had been removed I 
received a letter from the chiefs informing me 
that they had arrived at their new country, and 
giving me in glowing terms a description of the 
country. They said that I had better be preparing 



37 



to follow them, and that ever}' protection would 
be given me. 

About this time Hole-in-the-day sent his 
threatening messengers to me openty, and from 
this time forward he watched me very closely 
for fear I should slip away secretely toward 
the new country, and almost every day he 
came down to Crow Wing to see if I am still un- 
removed. If he did not come down himself he 
would send one of his warriors. Nearty four weeks 
passed away since my people had left me. I felt 
ver}' lonel} 7 and depressed in spirits, for I love my 
poor people and wanted to see them. 

I knew that they were waiting for me and 
were very anxious to see me move. Col. C. H. 
Beaulieu cautioned me that I had better not sit 
out of doors too much. "You cannot depend up- 
on Hole-in-the-day; he may be watching you to 
have a good chance to shoot you from a distance." 
He knew too well to come to shoot me in my own 
house because that would be sure death to him. 
The people there were watching him very closely. 
At the usual early hour of the day he again passed 
through near us. He took a savage look at our 
house. He was with one of his warriors, and re- 
turned home. In about two hours, up from the 
ferry a man was running towards the village and 
waving his blanket upward, and saying in a loud 
voice that Hole-in-the-day had been assasinated 
by his own friends. Bye-and-bye another man on 



38 



horse back fired five times, informing the people 
of Crow Wing that Hole-iii-the-day had been 
assasinated by his own friends, and thus con- 
firmed to the doubting people that he was truly 
killed. 

I went home to inform my late companion 
that the man who sought to take our lives had 
been assasinated. Now the bolted door against our 
reaching White Earth was broken down and un- 
bolted. "Come, my dear, let us be purposing to 
follow and find our poor people." 

In a few days I got ready to move my caravan, 
which consisted of three joke of horned horses. 
The day arrived when our departure should take 
place. The hardest day of our lives! To leave 
the little graves of our dear children was the most 
sorrowful thing we ever experienced. It was a 
long time before I could get my wife away from 
the little graves, and finally I got her away with 
broken hearts. I know so well I shall never walk 
around them again while life shall last. 

The loving whites and mixed bloods I thanked 
most heartily for their kind protection and bade 
them farewell until I should meet them as I 
hoped, in the new country, White Earth. I took a 
different route and came down to Swan river to 
strike the Long Prairie, once the home of the 
Winnebagoes. I took this route for deer hunting 
purposes. Ducks and geese and deer were very 
plentiful. My son killed all the ducks and wild 



39 



geese we needed. My eldest son killed live deer 
and one bear, and I killed two deer. My whole 
compare consisted of fifteen persons, including 
itself and my wife. Out of this number only 
four are living today. 

I took this route that no one might know that 
I had started for White Earth. I wanted to reach 
it secretly. 1 took my own time, and camped 
when I thought best. I was my own master. 1 
had no one to hurry me along. On my route we 
met many whites, and they gave us all the Hour 
and meat we wanted, though we needed nothing 
in the way of provisions. We had plenty of it. 

I must tell you about an incident which took 
place on one occasion. We were camping near a 
village, and toward evening a white man came 
over to see us. I had three tents, new ones. The 
white man asked us where we were moving. I 
said, "My friend, we are moving toward the set- 
ting sun and to the great happy hunting ground. 
We are following the path our fathers and fore- 
fathers have trodden, but rather too soon. For 
we cannot enter the great happy hunting grounds 
until after death. But our President of the 
United States thought best to move us near and 
nearer toward that great country, so when we die 
we shall only walk a short distance to reach the 
great country. So you see that the Great Father 
is very generous and a S3 r mpathetic father over his 
Red children, to move and move them along." 



4* 



"Well," the white man said, "It is rather a hard 
push, and unbecoming to a great nation who seem 
to worship the Great Being who rules the destiny 
of nations." 

The white man went home, and in less than 
half and hour both ladies and gentlemen were 
coming to see us. I came out of my tent to shake 
hands with them all. I know all seemed sur- 
prised to hear me talk in English. They began to 
ask me questions. "Moving toward the west?" 
said one of the men. "How far west?" "Well," I 
said, "I presume until we reach the setting sun 
and the great happy hunting grounds where our 
forefathers and fathers have gone." You are mak- 
ing a great journey, and before the hour comes 
for your departure," he said. 

"Yes, yes, that is most true. But our great 
father, the president of the United States, saw fit 
to hurry us on along toward the end of our jour- 
ney, so when we come to the time of final depart- 
ure, death, we may have only a few hours to walk 
to enter into the Spirit land, or the 'Great happy 
hunting ground.' " 

They asked me "Do you know a man named 
J. Johnson? His Indian name we could not pro- 
nounce." "Yes I have heard the name mentioned 
many times." I asked whether he was an Indian 
or a mixed blood, they said they thought he was 
a full blood Indian. "Yes, I know a man by the 
name of J.Johnson Enmegahbowh,an old rascal." 



41 



"Why call him an old rascal?" "My people call 
him such." "Why?" "When Hole-in-the-day, 
the war chief, started with his warriors to go to 
massacre the little white village, this old rascal as 
he is called by my people, informed the whites 
that Hole-in-the-day was coming to their 
village to kill them all, and the people at 
once made preparation to make a shelter of 
strong stockade and completed it in full. When 
Hole-in-the-day saw that it was almost impreg- 
nable to attack with their own weapons of war- 
fare, he breathed vengeance and death against 
the man who informed the whites, and from that 
da} r to the present time he is a fugitive and a great 
■rascal." 

They said, "We have heard much about him, 
and among the whites he is thought to be a good 
man for saving the whites. You do not think that 
he is a rascal or a bad man for doing so?" "No, 
not exactly. I called him so because my people 
call him so." We would like to see him," said one 
of the men. "Do you know anything about him, 
and where he is at the present time? "Yes, I 
know where he is today. Ladies and gentlemen, 
I am the man, the monster and the rascal! I ana 
the man who is driven from his country with his 
children and his poor people toward the unknown 
country." Ladies and gentlemen and even child- 
ren came forward to grasp my hand, and gave a 
good hearty shake of hands. Here the ladies and 



gentlemen gave me all the provisions I needed i'or 
my travel. Hon. N. Richardson, can 3^ou and the 
people of Little Falls do so for the poor man? 

During my travels through the new settle- 
ments I met friends. About this time my people 
had heard that I started to White Earth to rind 
them. Chiefs White Cloud, Washburn, Me-shah- 
ki-gi-shig, Aubboy and Na-bun-a-skong, the first 
men of the tribe and the first head men of the 
nation, and with thern each two head warriors, 
started at once to meet me. Previous to this I 
have heard that the wild Sioux had been seen 
lurking about near White Earth. We stopped on 
the edge of a heavy oak timber to make a dinner. 
Oh, it was the most lovely and beautiful day, not 
a speck of cloud to be seen in the whole heavens. 
Our lunch was over when my wife spoke, "See 
the dust rising upward!" 

All of us looked at the cloud of dust rising up- 
ward. All of us understood what it meant, that 
many persons, either walking or on horseback, 
were going in the same direction that we were 
going. Very soon the smoke of dust was moving 
toward us. They must either be our friends or 
the Sioux that had been seen about here. I asked 
the young men, three of my own and three other 
3^oung men, and including myself (and I con- 
sidered myself equal to the six young men), thus 
making seven good guns, what to do. I said. "I 
came here not to fight but to save. The dust 



43 



coines nearer and nearer toward us. I said to the 
young men prepare for war and see that 3^our 
guns are in proper order." 

In less than half an hour, looking toward the 
road to where we were to go, sure enough, we can 
see men moving toward us. I said to the young 
men, "I know and understand well enough where 
to look for protection. Many hundred years ago a 
great warrior of old, timid and fearful to attack a 
great impregnable fortress, was advised to go forth 
to attack the fortress, and he was told 'There shall 
no man disturb 3 7 ou, T shall be with you all the days 
of thy life!' Upon this promise is my strength." 

When we saw that they were on horseback I 
said to my wife to crawl under the wagon with 
all her children. I asked all the young men to go 
and stand far apart, and each man to a tree. 
"Don't shoot until 3 T ou see the eneni3'show sign of 
fight." When they saw us the3^ made the war 
whoop, and with their horses in full gallop, nearer 
and nearer they came. All my 3^oung men were 
ready to defend with all heroism, to win or to be 
defeated. Again the coming part3 T made another 
war whoop, and at the same time my whole bod3 T 
was touched with a peculiar emotion to fight and 
defend my companion and dear children. 

My wife said "I can hear them talking, they 
are our friends, talking in Chippewa. "Yes, 3 T es, 
sure enough, the3 T were our friends, the first men 
and chiefs of the nation. 



44 



CHAPTER IV. 



Sioux-Chippewa Peace Treaty 

RESUME to inform you what happened 
after the meeting with the first chiefs 
and warriors of the Chippewa nation: 
The first question one would naturally 
ask would be, who is this man? Has he 
any epaulettes to indicate his standing 
and position? What causes so much 
attraction? I will tell you the perman- 
ent four letters which he bears to telt 
who he is. Here are the four letters, 
a poor man, without a home and without a country. 
So you see the man who draws so much strong at- 
traction tells you the four letters, who he is. I could 
not fully describe the meeting to you. To say the 
least it was one of a general manifestation of joy 
not soon to be forgotten. Here I stood after the 
hearty shaking of hands with them, my whole 
body shook like the leaves of the forest. I sat 
down on the grass to hide my shaking. The ques- 
tion I have often asked is, what caused the whole 
body to shake? Some said that I was too much 




45 



excited. This may be the cause. But I think 
otherwise. I think the war spirit had entered in- 
to every vital part of me. That I was ready to 
fight and to defend my little ones, to win or to be 
defeated. When the excitement ceased to act 
these little war spirits were naturally forced out 
from my whole system and the little bubbles all 
burst, became cold and caused the shaking. 

And here is another question. These chiefs 
and warriors were all heathen. The}' worshipped 
to wood and stone. They go to meet a man who 
comes with a different religious spirit, a man who 
comes to destroy and annihilate their religious 
faith and -worship, the grand medicine faith of our 
forefathers and great grandfathers. This man, En- 
megahbowh, came to teach them a new religion. 
(Some of these chiefs had heard my teaching be- 
fore they were removed.) What changed them, 
and caused them to grasp the Christian teach- 
ings? 

The first night of our encampment shall never 
be forgotten. We were talking and talking about 
our future, what to do and how to live in the new 
country, White Earth, I was so glad to hear them. 
I did not at once urge upon them that they all 
must turn to Christianit}-. This very point I leave 
until I know the favorable time has arrived. Our 
encampment four nights were spent talking of 
our great aim to raise them from their present 
condition. On the fourth day all left me to go 



46 



home and bear the message that the poor Ennie- 
gahbowh was coming sure, and would be there in 
two days. And this made no little stir with glad- 
ness. But there was one, an educated mixed 
blood, who was opposed to m}^ coming, and he 
told the heathen that I was coming to do much 
injury to them and to their new country. The 
chiefs and warriors gave no heed, and his foolish 
talking did not amount to much of anything. 

I arrived on Friday. A little comfortable log 
house had been provided for my dwelling house. 
Sunday came, and to my great astonishment, 
chiefs and headmen, women and children, of all 
grades, came to listen to my teachings. I was 
moved with compassion to see them seek shelter 
and strong stockade for shelter, the most impreg- 
nable fortress of Christian religion, the only hope 
of salvation for my unfortunate race. 

My greatest aim was to catch all the leading 
chiefs, and to kill all their little hope that was in 
them, because when this is done and accomplished, 
I shall think that my work is truly commenced. 
This had truly come to pass. I have never seen 
so much earnestness manifested b}^ these chiefs, 
talking and talking to their people to receive my 
instructions, the only hope of our people and of 
their wellfare. 

During the winter we used the largest wig- 
wam or log house, and during the summer I held 
my public services under the shade of the trees. 



47 



In the second year I had nearly all the chiefs and 
the leading men and women and many children 
under my teachings. I must say I have lived 
with my own people from the beginning of my 
days to the present time. I never saw so large a 
community of heathen people live so harmoniously 
and in so great peace. It was like one family. 
O, those early days of yore! I long to see and en- 
joy their blessings. At that early day we had no 
Devil spirit nor anything to make us dumb and 
crazy. We loved and helped one another. I have 
often remarked to my wife that I was in a new 
world, and with new human beings. My joy was 
full, and I had plent}' to give away to others. 
Thus, my dear Mr. Richardson, the whole work 
moved on harmoniously and in great peace, for 
there was nothing to interrupt nor impede our 
enterprises until the Devil spirit entered into our 
peaceful abodes. Drunkenness put on all her garb, 
and beautiful she pretended to be, but she soon 
demolished and impeded our whole work. The 
various species of human beings began to arrive 
and our efforts began to slacken and be impeded. 
Before this I had the biggest chieftains under my 
instruction. As I have remarked already the 
head chief, White Cloud, came to my house and 
said, "Enmegahbowh, my brother-in-law, I came 
to make known what is in my heart. We are very 
near the country of our great enemies, the Sioux 
nation. Several months ago the Pillager Indians 



48 



went over not very far froni us, and killed a whole 
family and scalped them. I shall expect them to 
make retaliation, or perhaps they are preparing 
to make a great war against us. Several of us 
chiefs and head warriors propose to go to the 
Sioux country to try to make peace with them, 
and on reaching their country we will leave our 
guns behind us and go to grasp their hands with- 
out any war implements abeut us. The great 
enemies, seeing us without arms shall be fully 
convinced that our hearts are fully prepared to 
make peace, a permanent peace, not for one 
month or year; but for all time to come. I know 
it is a great risk and a great venture of faith. 
Now, dear brother-in-law, why should I propose 
this great undertaking, a dangerous and uncer- 
tain path for reaching the object sought for? My 
heart has been greatly changed from deep seated 
hatred to loving my enemies. My fathers and my- 
self even, have worshiped to the Unknown God, 
yes, even to wood and stone. Today my people 
have turned their hearts to the living God and are 
worshipping Him, I hope, with true hearts. It is 
under His great protection I propose to visit my 
enemies. I am confident to reach the hands of 
my enemies without anything happening to me. 
God is my hope and my trust and I shall go with 
these staffs." 

I said, "Now my dear friend, it is a great risk 
and a great undertaking and the words you have 



49 



spoken are the true armor and are worth more 
than one hundred of the best warriors. Yes, God 
knows that we have been wandering through the 
various ways, here and there, without God and 
without hope in the world. Our country was 
taken away from you. You became shipwrecked 
like an orphan without a father to guide and pro- 
tect you, and finally you were moved away from 
your bondage of sin and misery to seek a far 
country, and through your wanderings you have 
at last found a country, White Earth, where honey 
and milk flow. Here you are almost bewildered, 
and at last begin a new life in a new 
country. The poor Enmegahbowh arrived. He 
commenced to give you instruction and said 
to you all, my friends, please let me tell you 
what is true, and then invited you, saying, 
why halt ye between two opinions? If the 
Great God be God, serve him, or if Baal be God, 
serve him. Dear friends, you have heeded it, and 
taken my instructions, and have become true 
worshipers of the true and living God. Yes, dear 
friends go, go! God, whom } r ou have trusted and 
worshipped, will guide and protect you to ac- 
complish the great work, and peace and harmony 
shall be perpetuated all the days of your lives." 

Again he said, "I shall be gone ten days. In 
ten days I shall be back to see you all again if 
nothing happens to me." 

On the following day the chiefs with their 



50 



warriors started away to the country of their great 
enemies. Nine days passed away, and tomorrow 
was the day appointed for their return home. 
During the eighth night hardly anyone slept to 
await the ninth day. The ninth day came. My 
people, both men and women, stirred together. 
Here and there a group of men and women were 
standing toward afternoon. No appearance of 
our men was seen. Late in the night the men 
and women retired to their homes, and on the 
next day the men and women again appeared on 
the same watch ground where the} r were waiting 
yesterday. Again they were disappointed as they 
were yesterday. No one came. Toward the even- 
ing the people began to feel uneasy about their 
friends. On the third day when no friend ap- 
peared, they became hopeless and despaired. 
They thought their friends must have been killed 
surely. On the fourth day my people came in to 
ask me what I thought about our friends. I said 
with a confident tone, in my great faith, "My 
friends, do not become hopeless. I know that they 
are all still living, and we shall soon see them 
coming home all safe. I say this, the Great Spirit 
will not forsake them in time of their danger. He 
knows them, and they trusted in Him. And be- 
sides, their work is great, and He will assist them 
to do it and to accomplish it." This talk relieved 
them greatly and on the fifth day some one took a 
walk a long distance toward the road our friends 



fii 



took when they started away from us. He brought 
the word that he heard guns fired a long distance 
away toward the path our friends took. 

The news soon spread to the whole settle- 
ment, and the people began to gather waiting for 
someone to arrive. In about three hours our 
friends appeared upon a hill and began to fire 
their guns. Men and women, yes, even children, 
ran toward them, to shake hands with them, sing- 
ing the song of peace for what they have ac- 
complished. Here was a large gathering of men, 
women and children. The friends came and shook 
hands with me heartily, and with much joy and 
peace. 

Thus, Hon. N. Richardson, you can see and 
understand what the Christian Indian had ac- 
complished, a permanent peace, and forever. 
Since this took place it is now over thirty-four 
years, and in not one instance has this peace been 
broken, but it has grown strong and stronger, 
and it is a settled fact that as long as we both 
shall live there shall be no more war between 
the two largest Indian nations, the Sioux and 
the Chippewas. Man}- times in the past years 
the Chippewas and the Sioux have made 
between themselves, but the first chancj 
Sioux had to take a scalp he would take 
it regardless of the peace treaty made 
between them. Yes, yes, the good govern- 
ment has also tried to make peace between 



53 




hem. I had the honor three different times to 
nterpret for the government and my own people. 
But no permanent peace was ever accomplished. 
[t only lasted four months or a } 7 ear. The war 
jroke out anew and they began scalping. 

The greatest gathering that ever was held 
was at Fort Snelling. I think it was in the year 
L838 or 1839. The general government summoned 
ill the interior Chippewas to appear at Fort Slidi- 
ng to make a grand and a great peace treaty be- 
:ween the most hostile and warlike tribes, the 
Sioux and the Chippewas. This great council 
asted nearly a month, and at the end of the grand 
:ouncil peace was established permanently. 
Both hostile tribes took a great interest in seeing 
what had been done and accomplished by the aid 
)f the government. To see them and to see their 
different customs was the greatest sight I ever 
saw, and when the conclusion of the treaty took 
place both tribes were allowed to make a peace 
dance. This was a great sight. Both men and 
women took part in it heartil}^. And when they 
were about to part and to separate, shaking hands 
was the order of the day. Now, 1113- dear Hon. N. 
Richardson, do you ask me how long this human 
peace lasted? After their peaceful parting took 
place, one of the Pillager Indians started to go to 
the Sioux village, and before reaching the village 
he saw a Sioux boy coming walking toward him, 
and stooped down behind a log and watched him 



come near, and it was such a good chance to kill 
him and take a scalp that he shot him down and 
scalped him. This brought about such high ex- 
asperation among the Sioux that the} 7 formed two 
general war parties to follow the Chippewas. One 
party of the Chippewas took their route on the 
Mississippi river, and one party took the route by 
way of Stillwater. Both parties of the Chippewas 
knew nothing that had taken place. The poor 
Chippewas who went up the Mississippi river 
were overtaken by the Sioux between Snake and 
Princeton, and were shot down like dogs, because 
the Chippewas were unprepared to fight, they 
felt no danger. Yesterday the great peace treaty 
took place. The Chippewas lost over sevent} r 
killed, both men and women and children. The 
Sioux warriors overtook another party of Chip- 
pewas near where the cit} T of Stillwaternow stands. 
The Sioux killed over ninet}' of them. Nearly 
two hundred Chippewas were killed, the cost of 
one Sioux. So you see what human strength is, 
and what it can do toward making peace. But 
through my influence and my peace party of a 
handful of men what a powerful peace was made 
by the strength of men who trusted in God ! Thirt}'- 
four years have passed since the last warpath was 
followed and the last scalp was taken. And during 
thirty years to the present time peace and great 
harmony has prevailed between the nations. The 
Sioux have in return visited us year after year. 



»r 1.4 Bnii 



The great white-faced people say, "The White 
Sarth Indians are turning to their foolish war 
ances and the}^ will become foolish and regard- 
ess of their Christian professions." 

I have never said much of anything against 
heir amusements, their dancing together, both 
tien and women. To say anything against it costs 
oo dearly. I know well that just as sure as I am a 
iving man this dancing play and amusement will 
oon cease, and Christian prayers and singing 
rill be substituted. No man can understand it 
.8 well as I understand it. This dancing between 
he two parties was caused by a heart full of 
hankfulness. They rejoiced greatly that a last- 
ng friendship had been established between them, 
nd they had now become as one nation, as it 
irere like one family. The chiefs, the warriors, 
he men, the women and the children, all big 
learts are today full of gratitude. The hatred and 
yar spirit had been conquered forever. That is 
he prevailing spirit of my people and the Sioux 
lation today. 

Give them the true spirit of Christian teach- 
ng, raise them up with the Christian lever, make 
genuine war whoops to stir them to double their 
fforts, and I look for the day when all these diff- 
:rent ingredients will conie to play in their right 
unctions and positions. Not until then will the 
ndian bid farewell to the great hindrances to his 
>ecoming civilized. The Great Father says take 



55 



)V 29 1904 



away the rations. By giving rations we make 
them peculiarized into the dust, and make them 
lazy fools. 

Mr. Richardson, who makes them lazy fools? 
Look, look! You have taken away the hunting 
ground from them; having deprived them of every- 
thing from which they had derived daily support. 
When they were depending alone on their own 
exertions for support they never begged nor dis- 
turbed you by begging. 

Oh, what a heavy stress is put upon the 
rations. They say it is the ver}^ thing that must 
eventually kill the Indians. From what source 
do the rations come? Out of Uncle Sam's pocket 
or out of the money belonging to the Indians who 
are receiving the rations? Uncle Sam has been 
very liberal to his Red children. 

Mr. N. Richardson, in my next I shall inform 
you how I fared on my first arrival at the great 
city of White Earth. 




56 



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